Here, there and everywhere

I haven’t written in a while, as my friend Julie pointed out. I don’t know, I guess I’ve been processing more than out-putting – and bumming at bit, too - but I also wanted that last post to linger. I subscribe whole-heartedly to the… (idea, philosophy?) of manifestation and co-creation. Actually, I don’t think the word “subscribe” is appropriate… and “believer” doesn’t fit, either - or you could say they both fit, in different ways. It is my reality. My appreciation and practice is based on consistent experiences of success, and I am ever thankful for the knowing. I am more continually balanced, inspired and joyful than ever. The nectar of life sustains me. I loved pulling up my blog: grounded with its black background and illuminated with colors I selected to best represent me, to see a highlighted picture of my smart car. It just made me giddy – and this ignites the process, as well as brightens my spirit. Did any of you have a Lite Bright when you were little? It just struck me that my page looks a lot like one :)

In this time of economic “crisis”, I'm compelled to consider the how’s and why’s of the situation’s existence. Sure, you can fault creditors, corporations, politicians – anyone, really - and find logistical reasons we’re here (overspending, overlending, greed, war); but ultimately, it’s a result of mass consciousness – or lack thereof. Go deeper. What are the basic, emotional and social misinterpretations that have led each of us to participate? No one is exempt – not me, not you; and if you’re having a negative response to my suggestion that you’re a contributor, I even more strongly attest that you are. But keep moving! We all now also have the wonderful opportunity to address these indicators of imbalance and get back to our truths. Love, compassion, purity and wholeness – these are our birthrights. It is the confusions of wealth, need, separation and dividedness that echo from our personal lives into all of humanity – so let’s get to the core and adjust!

While I agree that it is important to learn about and from the situation, by perhaps listening to radio or watching the news – it is of GREAT importance to choose your sources carefully, and monitor your intake. In fact, even the use of the word “crisis” to describe our standing can be re-evaluated to a positive. When you hear this word, it may momentarily inflict panic or stress – woe or depression; but even Webster can provide realignment:

cri·sis : the turning point for better or worse in an acute disease or fever

“Turning point”… “better” OR “worse”! It may seem simplistic or unrealistic, to think that your decision to focus personally will impact society as a whole – but I assure you, it will. Choose “better”! Use the bottom of the pool to push off and accelerate ever so rapidly to the surface. Just because we’re experiencing years of residual thoughtlessness, IT IS NOT NECESSARY THAT IT TAKE THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME – OR MORE – TO EVOLVE! Surely, our status is acute – but we obviously needed it to be so, in order affect profound change. Any and everything you can do to intentionally realign yourself and your environment will result in ripples of positive affect.

Take time. Give thanks. Be gentle – with yourself and others. Know that you are safe.

Choose love.

Introducing: my new car!*

I test drove the smart fortwo passion coupe this past weekend, and it's done - it's mine*.

(Well, not in conventional terms - it's still with the company - but we're all anxiously awaiting the union :))

She's completely black, with leather interior and heated seats (yum!) Her design is clever and concious, and exactly what I want to drive about - representative of so many of the ideals I believe are attainable and neccessary.

I think she'll look especially stunning with my business logo across her hood or tail - perhaps in removeable magnetics...

Health and wealth are ours to have and share - and although I don't know the in-betweens, I don't have to! I am already grateful for her.

*gently and carefree

Piddle-Paddle

I was sitting here thinking “what am I going to write about”, when a conversation with my co-worker inspired me: peeing.

You see, the garage apartment we live in is about 45 paces from the cabin where we have running water (read: bathroom). Our apartment is also only 500SF, so the bed is an elevated loft; accessible only by a completely perpendicular ladder.

I have done what I can to train my body, and it has done the same in return. I try not to drink anything after 5pm, if possible – 6pm at the very latest, unless some dire hydration or indulgence is necessary.

Tonight’s forecast calls for rain moving into snow, and I already slump in anticipation of the midnight venture: over Chad, down the ladder, into my robe/scarf and outdoor shoes, outside – where a motion-detecting light will brutally spot me as I make my way into more illumination (thank goodness actually, or I’d surely break an ankle), into the cabin bathroom that is not warmed until I activate a space heater, onto the shocking rim of that ceramic throne… and so on, and so forth.

There have been a couple of instances where my unwillingness to fully awaken, rather than the temperature itsself, caused me to invent other means of relief…

You see, we have cats.

NO, I didn’t invade their boxes – but because of them, we do have litter on hand. Absorbent, earth-friendly pine litter.

I have lobbied for an actual device for such occassions – and vow that we will ultimately employ the Incinolet – but “he who can pee at the edge of the fence” has been deaf to my pleas, and it is apparent that I must either trek or tune in to my feline ways.

What’s more, on the topic: I have become increasingly sensitive to the amount of water I find myself flushing away. Perhaps it’s a result of knowing there’s a 21st century method of dealing with the waste (if you don’t already know about it, please Google Incinolet). Heck, there are LOTS of other ways! We even have a septic system on our property, but my “beef” is that the water use in unneccessary alltogether.

Here are some related statistics I came across today, in yes! magazine (another “to know”, if you don’t already):

Global average gallons of water used each year to produce goods and services, per capita: 328,366

Annual per capita water use in the US: 655,939

Annual per captia water use in China: 185,449

Number of people worldwide who do not have access to fresh water: 1.2 billion

Number of children who die each year for lack of access to clean water and adequate saniatation: almost 2 million

I’m not saying we need to feel bad about our current usages – I’m just saying we need to fully recognize them; not assume they’re our God-given right, or accept them as the highest standard.

The same co-worker told me once about her grandmother (or was it great-grandmother?), who only benefitted from indoor running water in her very late years. She objected, even as her family insisted and installed faucetry to the kitchen; but drew the line when they tried to create a bathroom. "Why would I want that stuff in my house," she exclaimed. Having lived without it for a time, I must admit I have an appreciation for such separation; an have even considered a "water-wing", in the renovation of our home. Centralizing usage can certainly cut down on installation costs, and Granny had a point.

It's almost 6:45pm, and my reused water bottle sits uncapped, to my left.

Damn. I must have been drinking it...

Step 1: Rethink

So here's the thing... there is absolutely NO NEED for Tupperware.

OK - I'll give you a few sizes, for those extra-large portions or oddly-shaped items... but other than that, you're just an unconcious consumer.

Oh - I can HEAR you groaning, and sense the warping of your faces as they contort in expressions of disagreement and disdain... but here's my response:

Chad and I are a family of two - let say three, bundling all the furry beasts into one, for proportion's sake... it's AMAZING how much glass and plastic we've accumulated in only 6 months!

By rule, I don't use plastic for storing anything in the fridge, anyway - so the glass jars (from salsa, spaghetti sauce, honey and jams) were initially reserved to aide in keeping leftovers and homemade items... then, the plastic containers (from yogurt, cottage cheese, parmesean and butter) came in handy for dry and hardware items.

Now I GUARANTEE that Chad and I are also a couple that uses MARKEDLY less container products that your average American Jane and Joe, so raise the usage by 50%...

There is NO NEED for Tupperware!!!

I recycle as fervently as anyone, but what we have to remember is that recycling is a PROCESS... there's fuel, emissions, energy and more energy consumed in order to make that momentary product that makes you feel responsible: "Made with 10% post-consumer recycled fiber" (I pulled that off my Starbucks cup, evidence of yesterday afternoon's indulgence).

I'm nowhere NEAR suggesting that I'm concious enough, that I have all the answers, or anything of the like... but I DO do what I can, strive to learn more - and think it's an exciting opportunity we have, to make a literal difference in the quality of Earth we inhabit.

Thoughts create things... and although the habits may be hard to break (in fact, the habits ARE hard to break, I can tell you!)... you CAN adapt - and the reward is bigger, richer, brighter and more rewarding than almost anything I've experienced.

Who wouldn't want that feeling, every day?!

Up, Up, Up & Away

So now I need to try posting a photo...



There! Maybe I'm not such a dinosaur, after all :)

This feeder is one of many, and sits right outside the window that frames our computer desk, in the apartment. Our cats (Murray, Little One & Pandar) love the perch, and we're constantly entertained. After filling the feeders this past weekend, Chad said, "It makes you wonder why everyone doesn't feed the birds". My reply: "Not really, honey. We did just spend $25 for feed that will last two weeks at best."

Sure, these are hard economic times; but I've thought about this conversation a lot since it occurred. The truth is that even if we spent $30 a week on bird and squirrel feed, we'd still spend less than most families do on cable or satellite TV or internet; and we're not dulling our intellegence! In fact, we're communing with the Great Provider; dancing with Mother Nature and looking into the mirror of life. I'm surprised more dirt-road-dwellers don't boycott technical providers. They're charged outlandish fees for provision of the convenience (I checked into it, when we first relocated), and have a world (literally) of actual interaction at their fingertips.

It may pass that Chad and I have, or are inclined, to subscribe to the influx of connectivity on Ingram Road; but having lived and loved being without it, I can't imagine.

The featured bird in this photo was what I was working to capture. It was one of the first yellow ones we'd seen in our six months here, but I have yet to feel confident in my identification of it (the marked black and white wings bars is what is throwing me). Another shot I got was better, but I love this photo - and it never fails to provide a chuckle - because of the Tufted Titmouse in motion, to the right. I don't even know if I knew it was there; but as in all things, it's the unexpected that is the magic.

Perhaps that's what I'll say one day, as I send a post from internet at home...